Reserves - For Faculty & Instructors

Reserves - For Faculty & Instructors

Electronic Reserves via Blackboard

Beginning in the Fall 2013 semester, Blackboard will serve as the sole access method for electronic reserves. For more information on the electronic reserves and Blackboard integration, please view this message.

The University Libraries' electronic reserves service provides "any time, any place" access to reserve materials via the Web. Library staff will scan journal articles and book chapters, and then make scanned materials available via electronic reserves.

Faculty are encouraged to actively participate in the management of their electronic reserves content by uploading word processing documents like syllabi and homework assignments, adding URLs, and posting other communications directly to the system.

Faculty members who upload electronic files for electronic reserves should take into account the retrieval facilities available to students in the course. File size and format have an impact on downloading and printing. Library reserve staff members are available to provide guidance on optimal file size and formats.

Students must be registered for a course to gain access to Blackboard and the electronic reserves materials made available in Blackboard. Students registered for a course will have access to electronic reserves and other course-related content offered through Blackboard from two weeks before a semester’s start date to four weeks after a semester’s end date. Separate electronic reserves course passwords will no longer be used, because access to electronic reserves material is controlled by Blackboard and the course registration system.

GA/TA access to Blackboard and electronic reserves is also controlled by the course registration system. GAs/TAs will automatically have instructor privileges for electronic reserves. Additional people can be authorized as TAs by granting them TA access in Blackboard (please note: this will provide TA access for all Blackboard functions, not just electronic reserves).

Please consult the following resources for instructions on specific electronic reserves functions:

Traditional (Physical) Reserves

Books and media, both from the Libraries' or instructors' personal collections, may be placed on reserve for circulation at any of the three Libraries.

Reserve items have shorter loan periods and higher overdue fines to facilitate students’ access to these high-demand materials. Course reserve loan periods typically vary from 3 hours to 3 days and are set by the course instructor. Overdue fines for reserve items are $3 per hour, with a maximum fine of $45 per item. To avoid reserve fines, patrons are encouraged to check due date slips for loan period information at the time of check out. At the time of checkout, instructors may request longer loan periods (up to 2 weeks) for their reserve items to facilitate class preparation and in-class use of these materials.

To place items on traditional reserve in one of the University Libraries, faculty may:

Bring items to either the University or Dewey Library and completed reserve request form. (University Library reserves staff complete processing for Science Library reserves also.) Do not check items out to yourself, but instead, bring items directly from the shelves to reserves staff.

Mail personal items for reserve to the Library accompanied by a completed reserve request form.

Request that reserves staff pull library items from the stacks by completing a reserve request form.

If you have difficulty locating a periodical, or if a book from the circulating collection appears to be missing, please contact reserves staff for assistance; reserves staff will make arrangements for holds, recalls, and searches.

Instructors' personal copy items are physically processed to identify them as reserve items. This includes applying plastic book covers and adhering labels to items. The Library does not assume responsibility for replacing worn, damaged or missing personal copies. If you are not prepared for this risk, please do not put your personal property on reserve.

Instructors are encouraged to refrain from placing high-priced textbooks on reserve.

Placing Media on Reserve and Booking Videos for In-Class Viewing

The Libraries can place media on short loan periods (3 hour) but cannot guarantee that materials remain in the building at all times. Instructors may book reserve videos for in-class viewing. Please contact reserves staff (eres@albany.edu or 442-3613) to have reserve videos held for specific class sessions. When placing requests, please include the title, call number, course information, and the date that the video will be checked out from the library (instructors are encouraged to check out videos 2-3 days before the scheduled class viewing).

The Interactive Media Center will make available particular software titles on one or more workstations (depending on license restrictions) as a function of reserve services. To make these arrangements, contact Regina Conboy, IMC Coordinator by phone at 442-3608 or by email at RConboy@albany.edu.

Deadlines for Submitting Reserve Requests

Reserve requests are processed in the order in which they are received. Reserve materials are accepted throughout the semester or session. To ensure that all items needed are on reserve by the beginning of the semester, we recommend submitting reserve request requests and all materials at least two weeks before the start of the semester. If the University Libraries must purchase an item requested for reserve, reserves staff will do its best to obtain materials as quickly as possible, but some materials may take weeks or months to obtain. Please note, the University Libraries will not purchase text books.